Father of Invention

Almost ten years after a dangerous gadget misfired and landed him in prison, Robert Axle is determined to clear his name and restore his fortune. He’s a brilliant but stubborn inventor who believes his track record should speak for itself. Returning to a world wary of his motives, he tries to prove that the man he was can be rewritten by what he creates next. The road to redemption means mending fences with the daughter he barely knows Claire, and convincing her that the man she remembers deserves a second chance. Along the way he confronts critics, rivals and the harsh truth that talent without responsibility can backfire. The film sits between satire and sentiment as Axle pursues progress carefully.

Directed by Trent Cooper, Father of Invention comes from an original screenplay credited to Jonathan D. Krane. Kevin Spacey stars as Robert Axle, joined by Camilla Belle, Heather Graham, Virginia Madsen and John Stamos in supporting roles.

Box office data for the film is not widely documented, reflecting a modest release and limited commercial reach. The movie did not become a major worldwide hit, a fate common to smaller mid budget comedies.

Critics offered a mixed reception, noting Spacey's sharpness in a role that blends vanity with vulnerability while debating whether the film lands its tonal shifts. The core themes revolve around redemption, accountability, and the impact of ambition on family bonds. Spacey injects wit into heavy moments, and the supporting cast delivers steady performances that anchor the evolving dynamic.

Its impact on pop culture is limited. It has few widely cited lines or iconic moments, and it rarely appears in discussions of the era's mid budget comedies. Still, for fans of Spacey it offers a chance to see a familiar cadence in a smaller scale project.